Albot² will use Twitter as an online ‘journal of discovery’, as well as keeping residents and visitors updated with information about Manchester Day.

The time travelling bot journeys through time and space experiencing the most amazing scientific discoveries throughout history - and will spend June 19 celebrating Manchester’s greatest achievements.

A staggering 175,000 people lined the city centre streets to celebrate the sixth Manchester Day in style last year.

Thousands of Mancunians people from 40 community groups will take part in this year’s celebrations, appearing in costume alongside floats or performing in city squares.

Town ball bosses say this year’s event will be the best yet, centring around ‘Albot Square’ - a play on Albert Square.

Chair councillor Pat Karney said: “We know how much the Manchester Day crowd love our annual mascot and Albot² will be a firm favourite - delighting the imagination from now until June and a source of constant fascination.

“This year we have had recording breaking numbers wanting to be part of the show - more than ever before - and as we begin the months of preparation I already know this is going to be an unforgettable Manchester Day.

“Albot² could also be the first Manchester Day character to inspire a name change of one of the Manchester Day city squares, but it’s not yet obvious which one...”

Liz Pugh, co-producer of Manchester Day, said: “We’re delighted to be working on our seventh Manchester Day. We’re particularly excited that we can tap into the city’s well deserved role as hosts for the European City of Science, 2016 to hopefully inspire even more inventiveness from everyone taking part.”